Mechanical loading apparatus having a signal modulating assembly

ABSTRACT

A mechanical loading apparatus having an oscillating platform and a signal modulating assembly for modulating an operating signal of the oscillating platform for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue condition, as well as postural instability. The signal modulating assembly modulates the operating signal such that the oscillating platform oscillates at frequency which simulates human activities, such as, walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc. The mechanical loading apparatus further includes a control panel having control knobs or buttons for manually selecting a desired activity to be simulated by the mechanical loading apparatus.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority to a provisional application filed on Mar. 9, 2006 and assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/780,656; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,843,776 and 6,884,227, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a medical treatment apparatus for stimulating tissue growth and healing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a mechanical loading apparatus having a signal modulating assembly for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis or other tissue conditions, as well as postural instability.

2. Background of the Related Art

When damaged, tissue in a human body such as connective tissue, ligaments, bones, etc. all require time to heal. Some tissues, such as bone fracture in a human body, require relatively longer periods of time to heal. Typically, a fractured bone must be set and then the bone can be stabilized within a cast, splint or similar type of device. This type of treatment allows the natural healing process to begin. However, the healing process for a bone fracture in the human body may take several weeks and may vary depending upon the location of the bone fracture, the age of the patient, the overall general health of the patient, and other factors that are patient-dependent. Depending upon the location of the fracture, the area of the bone fracture or even the patient may have to be immobilized to encourage complete healing of the bone fracture. Immobilization of the patient and/or bone fracture may decrease the number of physical activities the patient is able to perform, which may have other adverse health consequences. Osteopenia, which is a loss of bone weight, can arise from a decrease in muscle activity, which may occur as the result of a bone fracture, bed rest, fracture immobilization, joint reconstruction, arthritis, and the like. However, this effect can be slowed, stopped, and even reversed by reproducing some of the effects of muscle use on the bone. This typically involves some application or simulation of the effects of mechanical stress on the bone.

Promoting bone growth is also important in treating bone fractures, and in the successful implantation of medical prostheses, such as those commonly known as “artificial” hips, knees, vertebral discs, and the like, where it is desired to promote bony ingrowth into the surface of the prosthesis to stabilize and secure it. Numerous different techniques have been developed to reduce the loss of bone weight. For example, it has been proposed to treat bone fractures by application of electrical voltage or current signals (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,105,017; 4,266,533; or 4,315,503). It has also been proposed to apply magnetic fields to stimulate healing of bone fractures (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,953). Application of ultrasound to promoting tissue growth has also been disclosed (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,953).

It is also known in the art that low level, high frequency stresses can be applied to the bone growth. One technique for achieving this type of stress is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A method for therapeutically treating damaged tissue in a body having a weight is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776 includes the steps of (a) supporting the body on a platform; (b) oscillating the platform at a predetermined frequency to impart an oscillating force on the body; and (c) automatically determining the weight of the body, via a capacitor assembly operatively connected to the platform.

The method described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776 entails the treatment of damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and other conditions. The patient stands on an oscillating platform apparatus configured to impart oscillating force on the body. A capacitor assembly is positioned adjacent the platform for automatically determining the weight of the body being supported on the platform. Once the weight of the body is determined, the amplitude of a frequency of the oscillating force is adjusted to provide a desired therapeutic treatment to the patient. The apparatus and method described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776 provides an oscillating platform wherein the patient is subjected to a constant oscillating force. The peak-to-peak vertical displacement of the platform oscillating may be less than 2 mm.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a mechanical loading apparatus having an oscillating platform and a signal modulating assembly for modulating an operating signal of the oscillating platform for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue condition, as well as postural instability. The signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure effectively modulates the operating signal such that the oscillating platform oscillates or vibrates at a frequency which simulates a human activity, such as, walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical loading apparatus further includes a control panel having control knobs or buttons for enabling a user to select a desired activity to be simulated by the mechanical loading apparatus. A processor assembly is included for receiving a signal from the control panel. The processor assembly is adapted for sending instructions to the signal modulating assembly for modulating the operating signal in accordance with the signal received from the control panel. The signal modulating assembly then modulates the operating signal of the oscillator in accordance with the instructions received from the processor assembly. The operating signal may include a variety of waveforms, such as, for example, a sinusoidal wave, half-sinusoidal wave, triangular wave, square wave, saw-tooth wave or trapezoidal wave, and the like. A method of therapeutically treating damaged tissue of a body by modulating the operating signal is also envisioned.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent and will be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an oscillating platform of the mechanical loading apparatus having a signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating various circuitry blocks of the mechanical loading apparatus shown by FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A illustrates a control panel of the mechanical loading apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates a signal waveform generated by the signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates two signal waveforms generated by the signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an oscillating platform of a mechanical loading apparatus having a signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure being mounted to an ergonomic hand support structure; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the ergonomic support structure having an ergonomic hand support structure, a monitor provided on a column and a platform for supporting the oscillating platform having a signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a mechanical loading apparatus for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis or other tissue conditions, as well as postural instability. The mechanical loading apparatus can also be used for stimulating cartilage growth and for bony ingrowth.

The mechanical loading apparatus includes an oscillating platform and a signal modulating assembly adapted for modulating an operating signal of the oscillating platform. The operating signal is modulated substantially in real-time in order for the oscillating platform to oscillate or vibrate in real-time at a frequency which simulates a human activity, such as, for example, walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc.

Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, in which like references numerals identify similar or identical elements, a mechanical loading apparatus having a signal modulating assembly in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated by FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference numeral 100.

Mechanical loading apparatus 100 includes an oscillating platform 110 and a signal modulating assembly 152. The oscillating platform 110 is highly stable and relatively insensitive to positioning of the patient on the platform 110, while providing low displacement, high frequency mechanical loading of a body tissue sufficient to promote healing and/or growth of tissue damage, bone tissue, or reduce, reverse, or prevent osteopenia, osteoporosis or other tissue condition, as well as treat postural instability.

Mechanical loading apparatus 100 is housed within a housing 102 and includes oscillating actuator 104, capacitor assembly 106, and signal modulating assembly 108. The housing 102 includes upper plate or oscillating platform 110, lower plate 112 and side walls 114.

Oscillating actuator 104 mounts to lower plate 112 by oscillator mounting plate 116 and connects to drive lever 118 by one or more connectors 120. It is noted that FIG. 1 is partially cut away to show details of the connection of oscillating actuator 104 to drive lever 118. At rest, the drive lever 118 is supported in static equilibrium at a first end thereof by a damping member or spring 122. Damping lever 118 is activated by oscillating actuator 104 which causes drive lever 118 to pivot a fixed distance around drive lever pivot point 124. Drive lever pivot point 124 is mounted on a drive lever mounting block 126. Oscillating actuator 104 may be, for example, a voice coil.

Oscillating actuator 104 actuates the drive lever 118 at a first predetermined frequency. Preferably, the drive lever 118 oscillates between 30 and 100 Hz or at a frequency to simulate a human activity as described hereinbelow. The frequency is typically within the range or 25-40 Hz and fixed or varied in accordance with the treatment desired, i.e., bone fracture healing, postural instability treatment, osteoporosis treatment, cartilage growth stimulation, bony ingrowth, etc

Oscillating platform 110 is preferably part of a harmonically excited system. Accordingly, the first predetermined frequency is equal to, or equivalent to, the resonant frequency, thus requiring minimum energy input. The resonant frequency is a function of the characteristics of the weight of the person and spring 122.

The motion of the drive lever 118 around the drive lever pivot point 124 is damped by spring 122. Spring 122 creates an oscillation force at a second predetermined frequency. One end of spring 122 is connected to spring mounting post 128, which is supported to mounting block 130, while the other end of spring 122 is connected to distributing lever support platform 132. Distributing lever support platform 132 is connected to drive lever 118 by connecting plate 134.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, the oscillating actuator 104 is selectively positioned along a portion of the length of the drive lever 118. Connectors 120 can be manually adjusted to position the oscillating actuator 104 with respect to the drive lever 118, and then readjusted when a desired position for the oscillating actuator 104 is selected. By adjusting the position of the oscillating actuator 104, the vertical movement or displacement of the drive lever 118 can be adjusted. For example, if the oscillating actuator 104 is positioned towards the drive lever pivot point 124, then the vertical movement or displacement of the drive lever 118 at the opposing end near the spring 122 will be relatively greater than when the oscillating actuator 104 is positioned towards the spring. Conversely, as the oscillating actuator 104 is positioned towards the spring 122, the vertical movement or displacement of the drive lever 118 at the end near the spring 122 will be relatively less than when the oscillating actuator 104 is positioned towards the drive lever pivot point 124. The positioning of the oscillating actuator 104 aids in oscillating the oscillating platform 110 to minimize the amount of power drawn while vibrating.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and in accordance with the present disclosure, capacitor assembly 106 includes a pair of capacitors 136, 138 and a common plate 140 being positioned adjacent to a second end of drive lever 118. The capacitor assembly 106 is configured to generate and transmit an electronic signal which is representative of a distance between at least one of the capacitors 136 and 138, and common plate 140 for determining the weight of a patient on the upper plate 110, as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776, with reference to FIGS. 14A-C and FIGS. 15-16. The mechanical loading apparatus 100 can also include two accelerometers for determining the weight of a patient as described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/665,013 filed on Mar. 24, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2 of the present disclosure, signal modulating assembly 108 will now be discussed. The primary function of signal modulating assembly 108 is to modulate the operating or drive signal of oscillating actuator 104 for oscillating platform 110 at frequencies which simulate human activities, such as, for example, walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc. Signal modulating assembly 108 receives instructions from processor assembly 152 and, in turn, modulates the operating signal of oscillating actuator 104 according to the instructions received from processor assembly 152.

Signal modulating assembly 108 is preferably mounted to lower plate 112 of housing 102 by signal modulating mounting plate 142. Signal modulating assembly 108 includes cable assembly 144 for operably connecting signal modulating assembly 108 to oscillating actuator 104; and cable assembly 146 for connecting signal modulating assembly 108 to processor assembly 152. Processor assembly 152 is connected to a control panel 150 either wirelessly or via cable assembly 147.

With reference to FIG. 2A, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, control panel 150 will now be discussed in detail. Control panel 150 includes a plurality of control knobs or buttons for controlling signal modulating assembly 108 and permitting a user to select an activity to be simulated by mechanical loading apparatus 100, such as, for example, walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc. Control panel 150 may also be touch sensitive wherein the user is able to select an activity by touching the appropriate section corresponding to the activity desired. Control panel 150 includes a window display 154 for displaying treatment information and other information to the user during vibrational treatment. Buttons 156 permit the user to select a desired human activity to be simulated by mechanical loading apparatus 100. The user may choose to simulate walking, jogging, running, or stair climbing by selecting an appropriate button 156. Moreover, the user may select an activity and then use speed button 158 to increase or decrease the frequency and intensity of oscillation.

For example, if the user initially elects to simulate walking, the user may subsequently switch to jogging or running by pressing the up arrow of display 158. Accordingly, a signal is transmitted to processor assembly 152 which in turn sends instructions to modulating assembly 108 to increase the modulation (i.e., increase the frequency) of the operating signal of oscillating actuator 104 based on the received signal. The user may then return to a slower or a walking pace by pressing the down arrow of display 158 to decrease the modulation (i.e., decrease the frequency) of the operating signal of oscillating actuator 104. It is envisioned that the patient may choose from a variety of activities. For example, a user may choose to simulate walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc.

Alternatively, the user, via control panel 150, can select a preprogrammed series of activities, such as, for example, by pressing program A button 160 and program B button 162, wherein program A button 160 enables mechanical loading apparatus 100 to execute treatment program A which can include simulating walking, jogging, and then walking again. A more intense program is presented by pressing program B button 162, where mechanical loading apparatus 100 executes treatment program B which can include simulating walking, jogging, running, and walking again. Moreover, a patient may customize the session by selecting custom button 164, which permits the user to customize a treatment program for simulating one or more human activities during a treatment duration. Preferably, control panel 150 includes a timer button 166 for displaying the elapsed time and a distance display button 168 for displaying the distance the patient would have traveled if he was actually performing the simulated human activities. A visual display panel 170 indicates diagrammatically the distance the patient would have traveled.

Control panel 150 can further be designed for enabling a user to select a particular signal waveform for use in driving the signal modulating assembly 108 during at least a portion of the treatment duration. The signal waveform can be triangular, square, sinusoidal, half-sinusoidal, trapezoidal, saw-tooth, staircase, sweeping vibrational signal, continuous ramping (increasing diagonal signal), bursts with relaxation time as shown by FIG. 3A and without relaxation time (continuous bursts), and combinations thereof. The sweeping vibrational signal is a signal which sweeps from a first frequency to a second and final frequency. For example, the sweeping vibrational signal can sweep from 30 Hz to 120 Hz in 24 minutes at increments of 30 Hz every 8 minutes during a treatment time of 32 minutes (30 Hz for the first eight minutes; 60 Hz for the second eight minutes; 90 Hz for the third eight minutes; and 120 Hz for the last eight minutes). The signal waveforms can also be generated by the mechanical loading apparatus 100 automatically and without any user selection or intervention.

When a user selects an activity via control panel 150 or a particular signal waveform for modulating the operating signal of the oscillating actuator 104, or the mechanical loading apparatus 100 automatically selects a signal for modulating the operating signal of the oscillating actuator 104, a signal is sent to processor assembly 152 which generates instructions which are transmitted via signals to signal modulating assembly 108. When signal modulating assembly 108 receives the instructions from processor assembly 152, signal modulating assembly 108 modulates the operating signal of the oscillating actuator 104 for simulating the desired human activity, or for driving the oscillating actuator 104 using the desired signal waveform as selected via control panel 150 or automatically selected by the mechanical loading apparatus 100. Numerous other features may be added to control panel 150, such as, for example, an incline button for controlling an incline mechanism within housing 102 to control incline and decline of oscillating platform 110 of mechanical loading apparatus 100.

With reference to FIG. 3B, two modulated operating signals of the oscillating actuator 104 are illustrated. Sinusoidal wave 302 is an operating signal for simulating walking. Sinusoidal wave 304 is an operating signal for simulating running. Although sinusoidal waves are illustrated in the figure, other waveforms are envisioned, such as, for example, trapezoidal waves, sinusoidal waves, half-sinusoidal waves, triangular waves, square waves, saw-tooth waves, etc.

In operation, when a specific load is placed on upper plate 110 of housing 102 of mechanical loading apparatus 100, i.e. a patient, capacitor assembly 106 automatically determines the weight of the body being supported on mechanical platform 100, in a manner described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,776. Once the weight of the body is determined, an amplitude of the frequency of the oscillating force is adjusted to provide a desired therapeutic treatment to the patient according to the patient's weight. The patient can then use control panel 150 to select one or more desired human activities to be simulated by the mechanical loading apparatus over the treatment duration, as described hereinabove. When signal modulating assembly 108 receives the control signal from processor assembly 152, signal modulating assembly 108 modulates the operating signal and transmits it to oscillating actuator 104 for changing the oscillation of platform 110 to simulate a human activity, such as walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, etc.

With reference to FIG. 4-5, mechanical loading apparatus 100 is preferably mounted to a supplemental support structure including an ergonomic hand support structure, as disclosed and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/659,159, filed on Mar. 7, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. With particular reference to FIG. 4, an ergonomic hand support structure is designated generally by reference numeral 200. The ergonomic hand support structure 200 includes a frame 202 having a mounting tray 204 for placement of a mechanical loading apparatus 100 thereon. Preferably, mechanical loading apparatus 100 is removable from mounting tray 204. Mounting tray 204 is pivotable with respect to a vertical column 206 of frame 202 at one end of the vertical column 206 configured for standing frame 202 on a flat surface. Another end of vertical column 206 includes two parallel extension bars 208 protruding vertically from vertical column 206.

The two parallel extension bars 208 support a monitor 210, two cup holders 212 and a hand support structure 214. The two parallel extension bars 208 slide in and out of vertical column 206 for changing the height of the frame 202 by pulling on adjustment knob 209.

Monitor 210 receives control panel 150 displays treatment information and other information, including video, to a patient during vibrational treatment. Monitor 210 is provided within a monitor support 216. Preferably, monitor 210 is inlaid within the monitor support 216 for enabling a patient to place a book, laptop, etc. on the monitor support 216 without contacting the monitor 216.

The hand support structure 214 includes a curved holding bar 218 and a lateral holding bar 220. It is desirable for the patient to grasp the lateral holding bar 220 when climbing on and off the mechanical loading apparatus 100 and to grasp the curved holding bar 218 during vibrational treatment.

After the mechanical loading apparatus 100 is placed on the mounting tray 204, a patient suffering from damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other condition as well as postural instability can stand on mechanical loading apparatus 100 and be treated by the mechanical loading apparatus 100. During treatment, the curved holding bar 218 enables the patient to grasp and maintain his balance while being treated by the mechanical loading apparatus 100.

With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an ergonomic hand support structure designated generally by reference numeral 500. Ergonomic support structure 500 includes an ergonomic hand support structure 502 and a platform 504 for supporting a mechanical loading apparatus 100 a similar to mechanical loading apparatus 100 and having modulating signal assembly 108. The mechanical loading apparatus 100 a is preferably removable from the platform 504.

The ergonomic hand support structure 502 includes a curved structure 506 having inner and outer curved walls 508 a, 508 b and two curved ends 510 a, 510 b connecting the two walls 508 a, 508 b. During vibrational treatment by mechanical loading apparatus 100 a, the patient grasps the long curved end 510 a or lightly touches the inner curved wall 508 a.

The ergonomic support structure 500 further includes a seat 512 for placement on two opposing surfaces (not shown) defined by the inner curved wall 508 a. Accordingly, during vibrational treatment by the mechanical loading apparatus 100 a, the patient can sit on the seat 512.

The ergonomic support structure 500 further includes an RFID reader 514 for reading an RFID tag provided on the patient for identifying the patient. The RFID reader 514 further includes a display 516 for displaying patient identification data and other data, including video. The RFID reader 514 also includes a processor (not shown) storing patient-related data, such as patient identification data, and treatment data, such as, for example, the dates and duration times of the last five vibrational treatment sessions. The patient-related data for each particular patient is accessed and portions thereof displayed by the display 516 after the patient's corresponding RFID tag is read by the RFID reader 514.

The ergonomic support structure 500 further includes a vertical column 518 having a monitor 520 for displaying patient identification data and other data, such as patient treatment data, including video. Preferably, the monitor 520 is inlaid within vertical column 518 for enabling the patient to place a book, laptop, etc. on vertical column 518 without contacting monitor 520. Vertical column 518 is preferably height adjustable to accommodate patients of differing heights. Another monitor 522 is provided on the outer wall 508 b. The outer wall 508 b is further provided with a light source 524 above the monitor 520 and control buttons 526.

It is contemplated to provide the support structures shown in FIGS. 4-5 with circuitry and related components for connecting to a network, such as the Internet, wirelessly and/or non-wirelessly and at least one processor for transmitting and receiving data via the network as known in the art. The data transmitted can include patient monitoring data to determine at a central monitoring station if the patient is complying with a treatment regiment and data to determine whether the patient is properly positioned on the mechanical loading apparatus 100 a to obtain optimum treatment effects. The data can include video and/or sensor data obtained by a video camera and/or at least one sensor mounted to the support structures and transmitted via the network to the central monitoring station. The data received can include Internet content and treatment-related data transmitted from the central monitoring station. The data received can include visual and/or audio content for viewing via the monitor 210, 520 and/or listening via earphones connected to audio circuitry embedded within the support structure.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes in form and detail may be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the disclosure but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. 

1. An apparatus for therapeutically treating tissue in a body, the apparatus comprising: a platform configured to support the body; an oscillating actuator configured to receive an operating signal for oscillating the platform at a first frequency; and a modulating assembly operably connected to the oscillating actuator for modulating the operating signal of the oscillating actuator to change the oscillation of the platform from the first frequency to a second frequency.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a capacitor assembly positioned adjacent the platform for automatically determining the weight of the body being supported on the platform.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control panel operably connected to the modulating assembly for controlling the modulation of the operating signal.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein oscillation of the platform at the first frequency simulates a first human activity and oscillation of the platform at the second frequency simulates a second human activity.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and second human activities are selected from the group consisting of walking, jogging, running and stair climbing.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processor assembly for controlling the modulating assembly.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor assembly stores at least one treatment program capable of simulating at least one human activity when executed by said processor assembly.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control panel includes a custom button for customizing a treatment program for simulating at least one human activity during a treatment duration.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control panel includes a control button for manually controlling the modulation assembly.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating signal is selected from the group consisting of triangular, square, sinusoidal, half-sinusoidal, trapezoidal, saw-tooth, staircase, continuous ramping, sweeping vibrational signal, bursts with relaxation time and without relaxation time, and combinations thereof.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for engaging the platform; and support means operatively connected to the means for engaging for supporting the patient on the platform.
 12. A method for therapeutically treating tissue in a body, the method comprising: supporting the body on a platform; oscillating the platform at a first frequency to simulate a first human activity; and oscillating the platform at a second frequency to simulate a second human activity.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of determining the weight of the body supported on the platform.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second human activities are selected from the group consisting of walking, jogging, running and stair climbing.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of controlling the oscillation of the platform from a control panel.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of customizing a treatment program for simulating at least one human activity during a treatment duration.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of displaying the distance the patient would have traveled if actually performing the simulated first and second human activities.
 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting treatment data from a platform site via a communications medium to a remote monitoring station.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of controlling a modulating assembly operably connected to an oscillating actuator for modulating an operating signal of the oscillating actuator for performing the oscillating steps.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the duration of each oscillating step is determined according to a stored treatment program.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second frequencies are different for simulating human activities selected from the group consisting of walking, jogging, running and stair climbing. 